ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLUE SPUR ODDFELLOWS' LODGE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 347, 15 April 1874, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLUE SPUR ODDFELLOWS' LODGE.

The seventh anniversary of the Loyal Blue Spur Lodge, M.U.1.0.0 ¥„ was celebrated.on Friday last by a soiree and ball, in the Lodge Room, Blue Spur. The -weather unfortunately was wet and stormy, no doubt preventing many people from coming from a distance. However, a few ventured from Lawrence, tb.o majority of whom walked, -which undec the circumstances was converting a pleasure«ifito a toil. A fe,w visitors were also present from Wetnerstoiies and Waitahuna. The representatives from the various friendly, societies, who are always sure of a hearty welcome at the Spup, showed up well on' the occasion; The raiu, -which had come down in smart showers throughout the clay, discontinued towards evening ; but the roads were" madd very unpleasant, and the mud was sufficient to deter jaaany from facing the hill on a dark night, let alone the chance of a wetting. On arrival at; the scene of the festivities, we found the hall nicely decorated for the occasion with evergreens and ferns, which had a,yory pleasing effect. Tea was placed on the table at sis o'clock, and the spread provided was sufficient to satisfy the most fastidious -The ladies who. presided at the tables well deserved the thanks which were accorded thsni" later in the evening by tho Oddfellows for their kind assistance. A member of the Lodge declared during the evening that the bachelor members of the Lodge, of whom there are many, would make but a poor sho>v -\vifch t]jp .anniversary if, it was not for the assistance given them by their lady friends. After the spread had been done ample justice to, the tables were cleared for' the second' porfion of the evening's amusement, which, as is usual in aff air:? cf this - kind, consisted of toasts and speeches, interjpersed wilh songs and recita 1 tions. P.G. Bro. Grieve occupied the chair, and ill his opening address gave an outline of the doings of the Lodge since it was first opened, at the same time explaining the financial position of the Lodge, which, although the membership had not increased during the past year, the credit balance on their books -had increased. The Chairman continued by making a few appropriate remarks in regard to the good done by these soc-ial meetings, by bringing the brethren of the Order, theirwives, .friends, and sweethearts, together for an evening's enjoyment. He then called upoii the Secretary, P.G. Bro. "Varcoe, to read tho yearly statement, financial and otherwise. The statement was satisfactory, showing an improvement in the financial condition of the Lodge. The number of members at present good on the books is 45. The statement was received, after which „ Bro. Kendall favored the company with a song, '• The dear little Shamrock," \vhich was much applauded. Mr. W. M'Lelland was then called upon by the Chairman to address tho meeting, which he did in a short but effective Speech,- stating that Oddfellowship, brought people of *all classes together for their mutuai good, without regard to sect' or social standing -in life. With large population in the disfrjet he wondered there were not' more men joined the Order, especially the' younger portion of the community. He fouud many objected to " joining on account of the initiation fees,' but he felt sure they had not given .the subject full consideral ion, or they would not have jumped ta that conclusion. The first cost was very trifling, and immeasurably low in comparison with the advantages to be attained by joining suoh benefit societies. On resuming his seat Mr. M'Lelland was much ap-^ plauded for his short but pithy address: ' ■ Messrs. Donalcl and James Campbell then gave a recitation, "Lochiel's Warning,'.' which was very well done. P.G. Bro. Campbell then proposed th& toast of " Sister Lodges and Kindred Societies," couple \ with the names of representatives of the different Lodges in the district. P.G. Bro. Thompson sang "Aladdin's Lamp." This gentleman received an encore, which he kindly responded to. KG. Bro. G. Walker responded to the toast of " Sister Lo Iges," on behalf of the Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge. Recitation, ." Bingen on the Rhine/ by M.-s. Grant. Bro. John King sang " Pulling hard against the "Stream." ' P.G. Bro. Eady responded to the toast of "Sister Lodges" on behalf of the Loyal Waitahuna Lo Ige. Recitation, Mrs. Gilmore. ■ P.C.R. Bro. John Menzies responded, to the toast of " Kindred Societies " on behalf of Court Star of Tuapet'a, A.O.F. This gentleman enlarged afe some length on the benefits of these societies, at the same time giving some statistical information' in regard '.to the Ancient Order of Foresters in the colonies and the mother country. P.G. Bro. J. Russell sang " Bonny. Elpise." The Chairman then called upon P.G. Bro. B. Mills"'to- propose what he considered to.bft the toast of the evening, viz., " The Ladies." This gentlemen with a few appropriate remarks proposed the health of "The Ladies," i at the same time thanking them for the kind manner in which they. had kftt their services in endeavoring to make the evening's entertainment an enjoyable one. Mr. ' John Menzies sang " Somebody's courting Sotfiobo ly." P.G. Bro. F. Trayes then responded on behalf of the ladies in a speech remarkable on'v for its brevity,. This part, oi the evening's entertainment was brought to a close bj the singing of the Jfah'o.nil Anthem, after which the hall was cleared for dancing. By this time the number of visitors had considerably increased by those who had come for the dance alone. The ball was opened with a grand march and polka, during which the hall rapidly filled, until there was hardly standing accommodation for non-dancers. The ladies' toilets were much admired. The vexed question as to who was the belle of the ball was freely discussed amongst the gentlemen present, but ■there was a great diversity of opinion «a thfe

bubject — suffice it to Bay each one present held his own opinion on the matter. The mumo w*s provided by the Waitahuna Quadrille band in excellent style and diversity of music. Mr. IV 'Redman, as usual, acted as M.C. in a very courteous manner. Dancing was kept going, excepting during a short interval for refreshments, till chanticleer ushered in the morn, and even then some Beemed disinclined to leave for home. One andjall\expressed themselves thoroughly satisfied with\their evening's amusement. In conclusion, 1 we must add that^he committee . of management deserve great thanks for their excellent arrangements, which were perfect with one. exception. The dust in the room during the dancing was very unpleasant, and considering the little 'trouble it gives to avoid it, we commend their attentionjbo the subject, hoping they will endeavor toPavoid it on a future occasion.